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| Monthly Newsletter from Chairman Sharon Bulova |
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| Did You Know? |
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On July 25, 1870, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors held its first meeting.
For 98 years the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors was elected by a vote among the supervisors on the Board.
In 1968 an urban county form of government was adopted, and thereafter the Chairman was elected by county voters.
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| Stay Connected |
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Email
Website
Office
(703) 324-2321
Please contact my office with any comments, questions, concerns or ideas.
I look forward to hearing from you!
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Greetings,
July and August of 2017 will be a busy summer. A number of weighty issues are on our Board's agenda during the months ahead.
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After five years serving as County Executive, Ed Long will be retiring on September 15th. Ed began his service with the County in 1977, working as a budget analyst and eventually serving as Chief Financial Officer before being named to his current position. Ed has been an exemplary manager and fiscal steward, steering the County through years of dramatic growth and change. In more recent years he has been a steady hand navigating the County through a period of federal cutbacks and a sluggish economy following the Great Recession.
Some highlights of Ed's tenure as County Executive have been:
- Major steps toward realizing the vision of a redeveloped Tysons
- Adoption of a new Compensation Plan for our workforce
- Adoption of a new Strategic Plan for Economic Success
- Hosting the 2015 World Police & Fire Games
- Working with the Board and the Chief of Police to adopt new protocols for police training, response and transparency
- Opening of Phase 1 of the Silver Line and keeping Phase 2 (which will connect the Metro system to Dulles Airport) on track
- Establishing Diversion First to help people with mental illness who commit a minor crime be diverted into treatment rather than incarceration
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| 2015 World Police & Fire Games |
Finding a new County Executive will be front and center on our Board's list of priorities during the weeks and months ahead. We have already committed to a nationwide search and will be interviewing candidates this fall.
I would be interested to know what you think are some of the major challenges our next County Executive will face? What qualities and attributes do you think the Board of Supervisors should be looking for as we interview potential candidates?
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Getting Metrorail "back to good" and then restored to become the safe, reliable, world class system it once was is on our Board's front burner this summer. Several Board Members, including myself, are playing significant roles in bringing Northern Virginia and the region together on issues involving WMATA governance, efficiency, safety and funding. Much of this work is being done through the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) and the Council of Governments (COG). Look for future progress reports in this Byline as the region coalesces around strategies to make sure Metrorail continues as the transportation core that serves the Washington Metropolitan area.
We are not all work and no play! See inside this Byline for tips about summer fun and additional 275th Anniversary Celebration activities. Hope to see you at some of these events!
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Sincerely,
Sharon Bulova
Fairfax County Board of Supervisors
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| Environmental Showcase | July 22 |
Chairman Bulova will host an Environmental Showcase at the Fairfax County Government Center on Saturday, July 22 from 9am to 12pm. All area businesses and residents are invited to the event, which will feature public and private sector environmental project booths in the Government Center Forum and a panel discussion in the Board Auditorium. Plenty of time will be set aside for networking and audience Q&A with the panel.
This is an opportunity for business representatives and community members to learn about Fairfax County's Environmental Vision and discuss ways in which the public and private sectors can continue to work together to promote green and sustainable practices in our region.
Panelists will include
Jim Hart, Fairfax County Planning Commission; Tom Fleury, Bowman Consulting; Susan Hafeli, Energy Action Fairfax; and Dr. Dann Sklarew, George Mason University.
Coffee and light breakfast will be served.
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| Evenings on the Ellipse Summer Concert Series | Thursdays 5:30 PM |
On Thursday evenings from July 6th through August 24th, the backyard of the Fairfax County Government Center will be alive with fun music and good company. Employees, nearby residents and music lovers can stop by after work with lawn chairs and picnic blankets to relax in Wolf Trap-esque style! Complimentary wine tastings and glasses of wine for purchase will be provided by local wineries, and a farmers market and occasional food trucks will be in the front parking lot of the Government Center.
In case of rain, the concert will be moved inside. Thanks to Friends on the Ellipse and corporate sponsors, this concert series is free and open to the public.
Every Thursday, July 6 through August 24, 2017
5:30 - 7:00 PM
Fairfax County Government Center Backyard
12000 Government Center Pkwy,
Fairfax, VA 22035
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| Fairfax County Farmers Markets | Now Through October |
In particular, I invite you to stop by the Fairfax County
Government Center Farmers Market in the front parking lot on Thursdays from 3 - 7PM. You'll find fresh fruits and veggies, grass-fed beef, free-range eggs, delicious breads, cookies, salsas and snacks.
Our markets are strictly producer-only
, meaning all of our farmers and producers may only sell what they raise on their farms or make from scratch. Our farmers and producers all come from within a 125 mile radius of Fairfax County.
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| The Complete History of Fairfax (The Musical) | July 13 - 15 @ 7PM |
The Workhouse Arts Center is pleased to present "The Complete History of Fairfax: The Musical," written and directed by Alex Bulova, and starring Alex Poirier, Jesse Pollack, Christopher McDonnell and Hillary Leersnyder. Produced by The Class Act Players Theatre Company, the show celebrates Fairfax County's 275th Anniversary. Discover the hidden history of Fairfax as four intrepid actors cover centuries worth of history over the course of 60 fun-filled minutes. Learn about George Washington's secret love, Antonia Ford's daring act of espionage, the tragic fate of Sadie the Cow, and much, much more. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you just might learn something about your hometown.
There are plenty more history-themed events happening throughout 2017 in honor of Fairfax County's 275th Anniversary, including a number of upcoming lectures on topics such as local African American communities, the history of George Mason, the historic Hickory Hill home once owned by the Kennedy's, and the history of suffragists. T
he Fairfax Symphony is preparing an original anthem to be debuted at the Center of the Arts at MASON in September. There is also a unique opportunity to participate in a
neighborhood history project in partnership with the Virginia Room. Please visit
www.fxva.com/275 for more information.
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| Workhouse Arts Center BrewFest | August 12 |
BrewFest brings together the best local and regional breweries for a festive day of sampling and musical entertainment at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton. The event is produced in partnership with Celebrate Fairfax, Visit Fairfax and Fairfax County Government. All proceeds benefit the arts and education programs at the Workhouse Arts Center. Enjoy the day with friends and family at the craft beer event of the summer!
Local breweries, vendors, artists and musicians represent what makes Virginia unique. Visit
workhousebrewfest.org to get your tickets today.
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| Should Fairfax County Regulate Short-Term Rentals like Airbnb? |
 Airbnb, HomeAway, Flipkey, VRBO and many other websites that enable short-term rentals are increasingly popular nationwide, including in Fairfax County. Virginia state law now gives local governments the authority to require registration for these rentals. The Board of Supervisors is considering
proposed zoning regulations
that could address issues like where these rentals would be allowed, what types of properties could be rented out and how often they could be rented. We want to hear from you. Please take this short survey by August 31.
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| Working Together with Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) |
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Brainstorming session at the June 2016 Joint Board Retreat
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In June 2016, the Board of Supervisors and the Fairfax County School Board held a Joint Retreat in Mount Vernon. Since then, here are some of the things we have been working on together:
- We asked the Successful Children and Youth Policy Team (SCYPT) to create a plan that allows both Boards to address a list of shared priorities related to children, youth and families. Priorities in that plan include:
- Access to quality early childcare education
- Improving early education funding with state and local government funding
- Establishing school readiness as a joint priority for SCYPT's work
- Improving land use and joint Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) planning for early education and family needs
- Creating community hubs - schools with wrap around services
- Partnering with businesses, communities and mentorships
- Preparing for multiple pathways for career and workforce readiness
- Disrupting multi-generational poverty
- On February 14, 2017, the Board of Supervisors approved the Planning Commission's recommendations for a work plan to be pursued by the Planning Commission's Schools Committee-School Board Working Group. The adopted topics for review are: Projection Methodologies, School Proffers, Impact of Development on Schools, School Planning and Economic Development, FCPS as a Contributor to Economic Development, and Equity and Access to Schools and Facilities.
- Both Boards adopted the One Fairfax Resolution and are working to develop a racial and social equity policy to ensure all individuals in Fairfax County have an opportunity to reach their highest level of personal achievement.
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| Fairfax County Deer Management - Upcoming Meetings |
 Archery is the primary deer management tool used in Fairfax County and in many other high-density jurisdictions to help manage deer populations. Qualified bowhunters with superior skill, ethics and experience efficiently and discreetly hunt deer to help control the population and mitigate the number of deer that may be involved with car accidents on the road. Authorized archery hunting activity in Fairfax County Park Authority and Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority properties is closely monitored by the Fairfax County Police Department. Since Virginia began tracking hunting injuries in 1959, no bystanders have been injured by an archer hunting deer anywhere in the Commonwealth.
Two
public information meetings will be held this summer to provide an overview of the
Deer Management Program and to answer any questions prior to the upcoming program season:
Fairfax County Government Center
Thursday, August 10, 2017 - 7 P.M. to 8 P.M.
12000 Government Center Pkwy Fairfax, VA 22035
(Conference Rooms 2&3)
Mount Vernon District Police Station
Tuesday, August 15, 2017 - 7 P.M. to 8 P.M.
2511 Parkers Lane Alexandria, VA 22306
(Community Room)
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| Support Your Volunteer Firefighters | July 29 |
The Annandale and Bailey's
Crossroads Volunteer Fire Departments invite you to an all-you-can-eat crab legs and spiced shrimp feast fundraiser on Saturday, July 29 from 2-5PM. The event will take place
at the Annandale Volunteer Fire Department, 7128 Columbia Pike. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available for this fabulous feast. For more information, visit
www.avfd.org
, or
www.bxrvfd.org
, or send an e-mail to
[email protected]
. The Annandale and Bailey's Crossroads Volunteer Fire Departments are non-profit 501c (3) organizations, and all donations are tax deductible.
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| Code Compliance and Animals |
Did you know that Section 2-512 of the Zoning Ordinance establishes limitations on the types and numbers of animals that may be kept depending on the zoning district and lot size? If you notice livestock, chickens, exotic pets, or even large numbers of common domestic pets in your neighborhood, and you have concerns, you may contact the Department of Code Compliance (DCC) to file a complaint. For more information, please visit fairfaxcounty.gov/code/flyers/keeping-animals.pdf.
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| Northern Virginia Senior Olympics Seeking Competitors |
Registration for the 2017 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics (NVSO) has begun. The NVSO includes more than 60 events that exercise both the mind and body. To qualify, competitors must be at least 50-years-old by Dec. 31, 2017. The games are scheduled to commence Saturday, Sept. 9 and conclude Sept. 20.
Participants can register online at
www.nvso.us
or via mail with paper forms. You can call 703-830-5604 to have a registration form sent to you. Deadline for online NVSO registration is Sept. 2. Paper registrations must be postmarked no later than Aug. 26.
The NVSO is celebrating its 35th anniversary this fall. The games began in 1982 with about 80 competitors. In 2016, more than 900 Northern Virginia seniors took part!
The NVSO is also seeking volunteers to help at its venues across Northern Virginia. Those interested in volunteering should contact RSVP Northern Virginia at 703-403-5360 or email
[email protected].
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| Tips for Tree Health |
Insect: The orange striped oakworm
(Anisota senatoria) is a native moth that feeds on oak trees in late summer and early fall.
Diagnostic: Leaves will be stripped except for mid-ribs (or "veins"), usually isolated to specific branches or sections of the tree. This may occur in late summer and early fall, but does not pose much threat to the trees. Because trees are preparing to lose their leaves for winter at this time, they are not depending on leaves as heavily for food as they would in the spring or early summer.
What to do: Treatment isn't usually warranted for this pest because it occurs later in the year when trees are not as stressed by defoliation. Affected branches may be pruned if unsightly.
Or call the Fairfax County Urban Forest Management Division (UFMD) at 703-324-1770, TTY 711.
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